SANTA MONICA, CA - MAY 28: The new $1.5 million solar powered Ferris wheel, which replaces the Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel auctioned off on eBay for $132,400 in April, stands over Pacific Park amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier on its opening night on May 28, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. The old 90-foot tall Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel appeared in 105 photo shoots, 71 television commercials, 69 television shows, 28 films and 13 music videos and carried more than 3 million riders130 feet above the ocean on its 20 gondolas over the past 12 years. Like its predecessor, the world's first solar-powered, it will be powered by the sun but the new wheel, with its160,000 lights, will be 75 percent more energy efficient. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)